The Lady Architect of Design

Let me first say that catching this extremely busy Lady is a task in and of itself. After I was penciled in the schedule I was able to get a phone interview with Ms. Rhonda Brown. The Owner/Operator and Chief Inspiration Officer of RhoBro Designs.

If you want to define what I mean when I use the term Hustler, she is it.

Within all the buzz surrounding her in Atlanta, Georgia and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I found that Ms. Brown is extremely humble, very focused and immensely determined.

Stay awhile and "soak up" some small business Game from the Lady Architect of Design herself.

I knew that whatever was coming in the future had to be better than where I was...

WJD: Thank you for your time! I guess we can start with the most obvious question. How did you get started in graphic design? RB: I’ve had a creative calling all my life and every job that I’ve worked involved being creative in some way. After a few years, I realized there was always a freelance project of some kind going on. So, in 2010, I decided to leap into freelancing full-time. WJD: So going from a side hustle into a full-time situation was there a struggle involved or was it a smooth transition? RB: I can’t really say it was smooth but it was necessary for me. I was working in law enforcement and had been working in that field for about 10 years, on the administrative side. I realized that is not what I wanted my life to be. I didn’t want to work in that type of environment anymore. So, I started doing my graphic design while I was at work. I took my laptop to work with me and I would design at any opportunity. WJD: (Laughing) Yeah I did the same thing… RB: I decided to set up my business while I was still working. At that point, I just didn’t care for the “business of police” anymore and I was just ready to move forward. After a medical issue demanded a three month period away from the department, I came back to only work two more weeks and the jump into design was made. WJD: That takes a lot of courage. Many people have an issue of not having a “safety net”. Was that an issue for you? RB: At that time, no, it wasn’t an issue for me. I knew that whatever was coming in the future had to be better than where I was and I had a little cushion in my account at that time. I felt confident in my skills and ability to learn, so I knew that my decision was proper.

WJD: I always say that some people just have hustle in them. Entrepreneurs have this fire in them – they aren’t content at a regular job. When we work for someone else, we are the model employee, but at the same time we’re looking for the exit. RB: You are so right about that! I have always had a different perspective. This attitude makes other people uncomfortable. When I worked in law enforcement I couldn’t find myself bowing down to stripes. I question authority at every angle. And as an administrative PR you can’t do that. Your lieutenant can make your life hell. But for me, I was already in hell. I was under all these rules and this structure so no matter how good of a job you’re doing they’re still going to minimize you and put you in a small box and expect you to like it. Dealing with stuff like that, from people you don’t know for a small check and very little recognition, I just couldn’t do it. WJD: So as both an entrepreneur and a black woman, did you feel that you had to go through more challenges or jump over more hurdles? RB: There aren’t very many black women in design that I’ve seen or met, so I do feel that I have to prove myself a little more.

WJD: But you stay in motion and I respect that to the fullest. So as far as your work ethic, how do you stay consistent and motivated? RB: Truthfully, I am motivated by money (laughs). When someone pays me for my creation, to me that is the ultimate confirmation and validation for what I do. As far as just staying motivated to do it, I listen to a lot of motivational speeches before I get started for the day. I also have a playlist of positive music and some hard hitting hip hop! Exercise is also motivating for me. I just know I need to get it done by any means necessary to keep my business running. WJD: In your line of business I know you have to be very client oriented. I know you want your clients satisfied and happy with your work. So what is the balance of that? Being able to be creative but also pleasing your client? RB: I think it balances itself really. It does get frustrating sometimes (going back and forth with designs), but you have to control that as a designer and as a business owner. If you don’t then it can become time consuming. I have created a few business guidelines, to keep things running smoothly. I also ask a lot of questions upfront to make sure I understand their vision. I have them send me samples, logos, and pictures of designs they like or admire, no matter where they come from. Anything that motivates them I have them send that to me and then I design a concept based on that.

I can honestly say that my work stands out because I am super critical of my own designs...

WJD: As far as the industry in general, what do you feel makes your work stand-out? RB: I can honestly say that my work stands out because I am super critical of my own designs, but I guess what makes my business stand out is the way I market it using primarily social media to display the work and interact with potential clients. WJD: I be checking your stuff out – it gets me excited, man! Some of your designs blow my mind (laughs). Anyway, what would you say is one of the biggest mistakes you’ve made in business? RB: Oh… there’s been plenty of mistakes (laughs)! Most recently, I was notified by a new networking contact that my website was down. I was using an affiliate service to manage the domain. Unfortunately, I never received a renewal notification from the service and I didn’t keep up with it. So I went to that Networking event and handed out ALL these business cards with the website on it. And the next morning, my new contact sent me a message and said that my website was down! WJD: Ouch! I’m feeling your pain on that one. RB: The lesson in that was – be aware and in control of your business at all times!

WJD: What the most difficult part of being a solo-preneur? RB: Being solo! Having to do everything by yourself. You have to do the designs, you have to talk to the clients, you have to answer emails, text messages, phone calls, you have to do the website building, you have to do the corrections, all the deliverables, billing, collections… everything! You will get no sleep. So (laughs), trying to stay healthy is important.

WJD: So what would be your “secret” to success?

RB: (laughs) I haven’t achieved any measurable success yet. If I was to give a secret at all, it would be on how to stay motivated to obtain success. Basically, find something you enjoy and find a reason why you want to stick to it. Let that motivate you.